The Power of Gratitude

"I thank my God every time I remember you" Philippians 1:3  NRSV

In yesterday's blog I wrote about some of the things that restore my spirit, and I mentioned writing thank-you notes. It surprised me when those came to mind, because anyone who has known me for even a short amout of time has discovered that I'm really pretty inconsistent and often down-right terrible about writing thank yous.  It's not that I'm not grateful for what folks have done--honestly, I'm just a terrible procrastinator.  I put them off to the side and think, I need to write a nice note. And then time goes by and it seems too late to thank people.

Even with much time on my hands now that I'm unable to work, I haven't gotten better at thank-yous. So, why did they end up on my list of things that restore me?  Because, whether I'm good at expressing gratitude in cards or not, acknowledging someone else's generosity is something that encourages me, and helps me feel connected to others.  That connection to others is important...especially now.

One of the realities about long-term illness that we haven't talked much about yet here is that facing chronic illness can be very isolating and often lonely. Because of various limitations, it can be hard to interact with others as we have in the past, or as most other people interact.  For example, because I cannot stand or even sit for long periods on some days, I have had to excuse myself from events that I would have participated in.  And even then, when I go to some feeling poorly, I do not interact and joke and talk as I normally would have...I just am not able to.  After a while, having to exclude oneself from group events can make it harder to make connections with folks.  Also, I find that individual contact can be difficult as well, for there are some days I find it hard to concentrate or have the energy to even speak on the phone.  The effect of this can be cumulative.  I don't want to lose connection with others, but it is an understandable result. It takes more effort to stay connected intentionally with people.

Over the past months, I have had many folks send cards wishing me well. It has meant a great deal, but I've not had the ability to respond to all of them. (also flash-back to my poor track record with thank-yous here...)   As a way of taking positive action and intentionally connecting with people, I am setting up a writing center near the places I normally sit.  It is my intention, even on my worst days, to try and send a thank-you note to someone who has touched my life. 

I think doing this will help in several ways:  first, it will help to attend to those friendships and keep connections, so that people know I'm moved by their care, and they are reminded that they are indeed important to me.  The second thing this will do will be to focus my attention on gratitude. When I'm feeling most poorly, it is easy (and perhaps understandable) that I can focus on how lousy I feel. Writing a thank you helps me focus on those in my life who have blessed me.  It helps me to thank God every time I think of those who have made a diference in my life.  It is a positive action that I can take, that requires a workable amount of energy (who said I had to do it all at once, or write the card quickly?) and allows me to fight back against the effects of the illness.

Gratitude, especially now in my life, is an important force for healing and for connection.  Is there someone you can thank today?  Try it.  The power of gratitude just might make a difference for you today.

Dear God, thank you for the ability to be grateful. Help me today to look around me and see how you have touched my life through the actions of others.  Help me to acknowledge that gift gratefully, and find a way to let the other person know how grateful I am.  Amen.